Key investment to better assist needy WA families

An organisation that distributes surplus food to families and schools has today received an initial $1million to upgrade its operations and better service needy families in Western Australia.

Today's funding is part of a $6million package over the next three years to allow Foodbank WA Inc to move to bigger premises at Perth Airport and significantly improve warehouse facilities in Albany, Geraldton, Bunbury and Mandurah.

Foodbank provides food relief to families through 650 community welfare organisations and 300 schools by 'rescuing' surplus food from the food industry and distributing it through its metropolitan and country warehouses. With corporate and government funding, Foodbank supplies nutritious breakfast foods to 288 schools in metropolitan, regional and remote areas.

Premier Colin Barnett and Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney today presented a cheque to Foodbank toward its 'Foodbank 2030' infrastructure project. This funding is in addition to a $6.39million allocation from Lotterywest.

"This is a real investment in the future of Foodbank - it will help this important community service evolve into a better-resourced, more efficient organisation with its very own modern infrastructure," Mr Barnett said.

"The Liberal-National Government recognises that government agencies are not always best placed to help those most vulnerable in our society. That is why more than $800million a year is allocated to non-government organisations to provide the best possible service for the community."

Mrs McSweeney said Foodbank was an enormous logistical operation.

"To collect 2.3 million kilograms of food annually, Foodbank uses nine trucks and 180 volunteers at five centres. They co-ordinate 400 businesses which donate food and 540 government and private organisations that provide finance and infrastructure to ensure the food gets out," she said.

"Foodbank sources fresh, frozen and packaged food supplies to people who are having difficulty putting food on the table."

Premier's office - 9222 9475

Community Services Minister's office - 9222 8950